Jammin' BJJ

Give the Gift of a Gi.

Founder and Director - Elena Stowell:

"Jiu-Jitsu found me in October of 2008. I believe that jiu-jitsu and the people I met through the sport helped me save myself. At that time I was reeling under tides of depression, anger, self-depreciation and apathy as I navigated my way through the grief of losing my 15 year old daughter suddenly in 2007. I had never participated in a martial art. I didn’t know what jiu-jitsu was, but one day I found myself on the mats at Foster Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (FBJJ) in Kent, Washington. It wasn’t love at first roll. I didn’t like wearing a Gi, couldn’t tie my belt, the puddles of sweat were slippery, the bruises were everywhere and there was all that touching! But I needed a challenge to begin healing and jiu-jitsu definitely provided that. It took a long time for me to “buy in”. I was learning the sport and learning how to reengage in life at the same time. My transformation took about three years and culminated in losing 40 pounds, competing at Worlds and getting my blue belt."

about three years and culminated in losing 40 pounds, competing at Worlds and getting my blue belt.

"In June 2012 I wrote a book about my jiu-jitsu journey, Flowing With the Go. It was published in the US and also translated into Portuguese, Indo Com o Fluxo. I traveled to Brazil to promote the book and was able to train in both Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. I had the fortunate experience to train both in the cities and in the favelas. My time in the favelas was life-changing. I met children who had very limited resources yet came to train every day with a smile on their face. Many did not own their own Gi and either shared with someone or trained without a Gi. One coach explained that not having a Gi was a reason many children left the gym as they got older – being older was also when they were susceptible to the trappings of the gang life that permeates the favelas. When I returned to the U.S. I started JamminBJJ as a branch of the Carly Stowell Foundation, the nonprofit organization founded after my daughter’s death. My first project was Give the Gift of Gi - collecting new and used Gi donations for children and adults in Brazil."

of Gi - collecting new and used Gi donations for children and adults in Brazil.

of Gi - collecting new and used Gi donations for children and adults in Brazil.

"Since that time Give the Gift of a Gi has collected over 500 Gis from all over the United States and delivered almost 300 to Brazil. Hyperfly was the first company to provide new Gis for the children and has been a constant supporter of my efforts. Fundraising events from FBJJ and other donors have allowed JamminBJJ to supplement tournament registration costs for children in Brazil and the U.S.. Last year JamminBJJ collaborated with the Challenged Athlete Foundation and Hyperfly to bring Luciano Mariano to the United States from Japeri, RDJ to compete in the IBJJF World Championships. Luciano is a blue belt, double arm amputee who inspires everyone he meets with his positive attitude and cheerful smile. This year, in addition to the ongoing work of Give the Gift of a Gi, JamminBJJ is working with a local high school service club, Interact, to raise money so a non-government organization in the projeto social of Campo Grande, RDJ can make improvements to the abandoned building they currently use a gymnasium to train in."

make improvements to the abandoned building they currently use a gymnasium to train in.

Jiu-jitsu has been, without a doubt, the catalyst in my ability to participate in happiness again. I have met

"Jiu-jitsu has been, without a doubt, the catalyst in my ability to participate in happiness again. I have met people of integrity, compassion, and generosity from all over the world; People who champion inclusion for all on the mats and who inspire me to continue the work I am doing. I still train and compete. I’m a purple belt now. It isn’t always easy. I sometimes ask myself, “What are you doing, crazy girl?” And I remember my daughter’s kind and tireless spirit and keep going. You Can’t Teach Heart.﻿"